Abstract/Details

The residential school experience: Residual effects upon First Nations students in their understanding and mastery of tasks within the mathematics curriculum

MacDougall, Kenneth J. A.   Concordia University (Canada) ProQuest Dissertations Publishing,  2007. MR34755.

Abstract (summary)

We examine the influence of Canadian governmental policies upon the ability of First Nations students to succeed in the understanding of mathematical principles. The materials used in the task consist of mathematical curriculum (the introduction of mathematical descriptors and geometric manipulation), pre-evaluated in Quebec, and having common syllabus in British Columbia. After establishing standards of comparison with a Montreal sample population, materials are taught to two separate, small communities of First Nations students. One group attends a Band-administered institution, while the second set is subject to the regulations of the public sector.

It was assumed that there is no readily identified impediment to Aboriginal students succeeding in mathematics, beyond those that influence other normal populations. Whatever factors contributed towards the failure of Native students to maintain demographic consistency was due to external issues not relevant to the curriculum, but affecting its instruction.

Our study shows that, despite using Euro-traditional instructional methods and evaluation tools not screened for cultural bias, Aboriginal students actually fared better in the materials presented than did the comparative group. It also suggests that subsequent success becomes a function of teacher influence isolating classroom issues emanating from prior generations, and debilitating the children's learning paths. Such resistance may be overcome by non-Aboriginal teachers when they are attuned to the historical imperialism of their roots, and integrate curriculum needs with traditional Aboriginal learning methods. Further research is also required to assist teachers in isolating social behaviour from true learning, which may have application in multi-racial institutions.

Indexing (details)


Subject
Mathematics education;
Native American studies
Classification
0280: Mathematics education
0740: Native American studies
Identifier / keyword
Education
Title
The residential school experience: Residual effects upon First Nations students in their understanding and mastery of tasks within the mathematics curriculum
Author
MacDougall, Kenneth J. A.
Number of pages
182
Degree date
2007
School code
0228
Source
MAI 46/03M, Masters Abstracts International
Place of publication
Ann Arbor
Country of publication
United States
ISBN
978-0-494-34755-3
University/institution
Concordia University (Canada)
University location
Canada -- Quebec, CA
Degree
M.T.M.
Source type
Dissertation or Thesis
Language
English
Document type
Dissertation/Thesis
Dissertation/thesis number
MR34755
ProQuest document ID
304793626
Copyright
Database copyright ProQuest LLC; ProQuest does not claim copyright in the individual underlying works.
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/docview/304793626/abstract